Adaptive integrated, and interactive education and communication system for people with hearing loss and hearing healthcare providers and related methods

ABSTRACT

A system, device, and wireless computer technology-implemented method for providing hearing healthcare education and communication for a patient, his/her communication partner, and a hearing care provider. The system provides the patient at least one educational and experiential module and a method for assessing the patient&#39;s comprehension of the module&#39;s lessons. The system further provides the patient with a method to select personal hearing aid and communication goals; a method to evaluate his/her progress on achieving each personal goal; and a method to report his/her hearing experiences. The system further provides a method to compare data reported by the patient to personalized thresholds. When one or more of the patient&#39;s reports do not meet the thresholds, the system sends automated alerts to the hearing care provider to encourage prompt remedial action and sends automated reminders to the patient to improve the patient&#39;s ability to achieve his/her personal goals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/503,510, filed Oct. 18, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/625,196, filed Dec. 20, 2019, which is a U.S.national phase under § 371 of International Patent Application No.PCT/US2018/038820, filed Jun. 21, 2018, which claims the benefit ofpriority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/640,152, filedMar. 8, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/522,920,filed Jun. 21, 2017, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office,the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS

This invention was made with government support under small businessinnovation research (SBIR) grant R44 AG045947 awarded by the Nationalinstitutes of Health. The government has certain rights in theinvention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods foreducation and communication for people with hearing loss and, moreparticularly, to systems, devices, and methods for adaptive andinteractive education of people with hearing loss and communicationbetween these people and their hearing healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND

Hearing loss is reported in 36 million Americans, including 30% ofpeople age 65-74, and 47% of people age 75 or older; however, only 1 in5 people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one. Hearingloss, when left untreated in older adults, leads to an increasedincidence of dementia, risk of falls, social isolation and depression,and reduced quality of life. Further, self-efficacy in hearing aidmanagement is considered to be a major determinant of positive outcomeswith older adults. There is a compelling need for innovative approachesdesigned for use by older adults—starting with patients newly fitted forhearing aids. The major causes of suboptimal hearing aid use include lowpatient satisfaction and inadequate patient education and follow-upduring the fitting and trial period. Also, patients with low healthliteracy experience reduced recall of information, poor hearing aid useand maintenance, unrealistic expectations, and difficulties articulatingtheir needs to audiologists. Limited mobility and transportation accessfurther reduce older patients' follow-up visits with their audiologists.A novel approach to hearing aid education and communication may bettermeet the needs of older adults with hearing loss and better connect themwith their audiologists for aftercare.

Many older adults who are dealing with hearing loss are at adisadvantage because audiologists have limited available time to: (a)educate them about their hearing aids, (b) train them on criticalcommunications strategies needed to supplement their hearing aids, and(c) provide hearing aid aftercare for their patients. Hearing aidaftercare includes answering patients' questions about hearing aid useand maintenance and follow-on office visits to troubleshoot hearing aidproblems and learn adaptive communications skills. Furthermore, many ofsuch individuals either do not use computers or have low computerproficiency, and because they also have low health literacy they cannotbenefit from many of the resources on conventional Internet websites. Asa result of these conditions, more than 20% of people who purchasehearing aids get frustrated and return them while an equally highpercentage simply leave them in a drawer, unused. Both of these outcomesresult in older patients resigning themselves to a life with an unaidedhearing deficit, which, according to the literature, often results insocial isolation, depression and higher susceptibility to chronicillnesses such as diabetes and dementia.

Currently, traditional hearing aid instruction manuals are unsuitablefor the majority of hearing aid users in terms of language level,jargon, and design. Educational DVDs, while offering good content, areneither individualized nor interactive, and have met with limitedsuccess as fewer than 30% of patients actually watch them. Also, limitedInternet-based education is available. However, these websites do notlink patients to their audiologists and most do not adequately addresshealth literacy and other issues critical to older adult learning suchas suitable fonts, colors and contrast. What is needed to keep a higherpercentage of older adults successfully using their hearing aids, ratherthan returning them or placing them in a drawer, is a patient-centeredand interactive system that links patients to their hearing careprofessionals (HCPs) and allows older adults to easily access and usethe system on familiar technology in the convenience of their home. Thestandard home TV is such a familiar technology. It is also a valuedmedium because is large screen and better speakers facilitate thehearing aid education of the primary communication partners of the adultwith hearing loss. In this novel and easy-to-use system, an integratedcombination of personalized educational reinforcement, reminders,reports and alerts will improve patient-HCP communications and willfacilitate more timely remedial hearing aid-related interventions.

SUMMARY

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the presentdisclosure is directed to a method for providing hearing healthcareeducation and communication, the method comprising: providing, to thepatient, a set of education goals related to the hearing aid; receiving,from the patient, input data defining a subset of the set of theeducation goals; storing the subset of the set of the education goals aspersonal goals of the patient; providing, to the patient, at least oneeducational and experiential module related to the personal goals;determining a hearing aid achievement of the patient, the hearing aidachievement corresponding to a use of the at least one educational andexperiential module by the patient and a level of compliance with thepersonal goals by the patient; based on the hearing aid achievement,automatically providing at least one of a message or an alert to bringthe patient into compliance with the personal goals; and providing arecommended adjustment to the hearing aid based on the hearing aidachievement.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module includes content review questions,and wherein the determining the hearing aid achievement of the patientincludes: providing, to the patient, at least one content reviewquestion about content of the at least one educational and experientialmodule; receiving, from the patient, a patient response to the at leastone content review question; comparing the patient response to a correctresponse; determining if the patient response is the correct response;determining a content review score based on a percentage of correctresponses; and based on a result of the determining the content reviewscore, determining whether to automatically send the at least one of themessage to the patient and the alert to a hearing healthcare provider.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient further includes: collectingpatient viewing data related to the at least one educational andexperiential module; comparing the patient viewing data to acorresponding threshold value; based on a result of the comparing,determining how the patient viewing data corresponds to thecorresponding threshold value; and based on the result of thedetermining, determining whether to send the at least one of the messageto the patient and the alert to a hearing healthcare provider.

In some aspects, the method further includes at least one of: providingone or more patient reports, wherein the one or more patient reportsinclude a patient presentation of the patient viewing data and a contentreview score; and providing one or more provider reports, wherein theone or more provider reports include a provider presentation of thepatient viewing data and the content review score.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module is an educational video, and whereinthe patient viewing data includes a cumulative number of differentvideos viewed within a predetermined period of time.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient further includes: providing, tothe patient, a survey question about a hearing aid experience of thepatient; and receiving, from the patient, a patient response to thesurvey question; comparing the patient response to a threshold value;determining how the patient response compares to the threshold value;and based on a result of the determining, determining whether to sendthe at least one of the message to the patient and the alert to ahearing healthcare provider.

In some aspects, the method further includes collecting system usagedata of a hearing healthcare education and communication system, thesystem usage data measuring usage of the hearing healthcare educationand communication system by the patient and usage of at least onespecific feature of the hearing healthcare education and communicationsystem; comparing the system usage data to a threshold value;determining how the system usage data compares to the threshold value;storing the system usage data and a result of the comparing; and basedon the result of the determining, determining whether to send the atleast one of the message to the patient and the alert to a hearinghealthcare provider.

In some aspects, the method further includes at least one of: providingone or more patient reports, wherein the one or more patient reportsinclude a patient presentation of the system usage data; and providingone or more provider reports, wherein the one or more provider reportsinclude a provider presentation of the system usage data.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the system usagedata includes at least one of: a number of times that features of thehearing healthcare education and communication system are accessed bythe patient, a number of specific features of the hearing healthcareeducation and communication system that are used by the patient, and anumber of specific features of the hearing healthcare education andcommunication system used by the patient within a predetermined periodof time.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module includes troubleshooting informationrelated to a hearing aid problem, and the method further includes:providing, to the patient, troubleshooting questions related to patientexperiences using the hearing aid; receiving, from the patient, patientresponses to the troubleshooting questions; providing troubleshootingadvice based on the patient responses to the troubleshooting questions;and storing troubleshooting result data based on the patient responsesto the troubleshooting questions and success of the patient in resolvingthe hearing aid problem.

In some aspects, the method further includes at least one of: providingone or more patient reports based on the troubleshooting result data,wherein the one or more patient reports include a presentation of thetroubleshooting result data; and providing one or more provider reportsbased on the troubleshooting result data, wherein the one or moreprovider reports include a presentation of the troubleshooting resultdata.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the providing theone or more provider reports includes: providing the alert to a hearinghealthcare provider to notify the hearing healthcare provider that thepatient has one or more problems with the hearing aid.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the troubleshootingadvice may include automatically presenting at least one education videoto the patient.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the presentdisclosure is directed to a system for providing hearing healthcareeducation and communication, comprising: at least one storage devicestoring instructions; and at least one computer processor configured toexecute the instructions and to cause the system to perform operationscomprising: providing, to the patient, a set of education goals relatedto the hearing aid; receiving, from the patient, input data defining asubset of the set of the education goals as personal goals of thepatient; storing, in the at least one storage device, the subset of theset of the education goals as the personal goals of the patient;providing, to the patient, at least one educational and experientialmodule related to the personal goals; determining a hearing aidachievement of the patient, the hearing aid achievement corresponding toa use of the at least one educational and experiential module by thepatient and a level of compliance with the personal goals by thepatient; based on the hearing aid achievement, automatically providingat least one of a message or an alert to bring the patient intocompliance with the personal goals; and providing a recommendedadjustment to the hearing aid based on the hearing aid achievement.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module includes content review questions,and wherein the determining the hearing aid achievement of the patientfurther includes: providing, to the patient, at least one content reviewquestion about content of the at least one educational and experientialmodule; receiving, from the patient, a patient response to the at leastone content review question; comparing the patient response to a correctresponse; determining if the patient response is the correct response;determining a content review score based on a percentage of correctresponses; and based on a result of the determining the content reviewscore, determining whether to automatically send the at least one of themessage to the patient and the alert to a hearing healthcare provider.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient includes: collecting patientviewing data related to the at least one educational and experientialmodule; comparing the patient viewing data to a threshold value; basedon a result of the comparing, determining how the patient viewing datacorresponds to the threshold value; and based on the result of thedetermining, determining whether to automatically send the at least oneof the message to the patient and the alert to a hearing healthcareprovider.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising at least one of:providing one or more patient reports, wherein the one or more patientreports include a patient presentation of the patient viewing data and acontent review score; and providing one or more provider reports,wherein the one or more provider reports include a provider presentationof the patient viewing data and the content review score.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module is an educational video, and whereinthe patient viewing data includes a cumulative number of differentvideos viewed within a predetermined period of time.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient further includes: providing, tothe patient, a survey question about a hearing aid experience of thepatient; and receiving, from the patient, a patient response to thesurvey question; comparing the patient response to a threshold value;determining how the patient response compares to the threshold value;and based on a result of the determining, determining whether toautomatically send the at least one of the message to the patient andthe alert to a hearing healthcare provider.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising: collecting systemusage data of the system, the system usage data measuring usage of thesystem by the patient and usage of at least one specific feature of thesystem; comparing the system usage data to a threshold value;determining how the system usage data compares to the threshold value;storing the system usage data and a result of the comparing in the atleast one storage device; and based on the result of the determining,determining whether to send the at least one of the message to thepatient and the alert to a hearing healthcare provider.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising at least one of:providing one or more patient reports, wherein the one or more patientreports include a patient presentation of the system usage data; andproviding one or more provider reports, wherein the one or more providerreports include a provider presentation of the system usage data.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the system usagedata includes at least one of: a number of times that features of thesystem are accessed by the patient, a number of specific features of thesystem that are used by the patient, and a number of specific featuresof the system used by the patient within a predetermined period of time.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module includes troubleshooting informationrelated to a hearing aid problem, and the at least one computerprocessor is further configured to execute the instructions and to causethe system to perform operations comprising: providing, to the patient,troubleshooting questions related to patient experiences using thehearing aid; receiving, from the patient, patient responses to thetroubleshooting questions; providing troubleshooting advice based on thepatient responses to the troubleshooting questions; and storing, in theat least one storage device, troubleshooting result data based on thepatient responses to the troubleshooting questions and a success of thepatient in resolving the hearing aid problem.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising at least one of:providing one or more patient reports based on the troubleshootingresult data, wherein the one or more patient reports include apresentation of the troubleshooting result data; and providing one ormore provider reports based on the troubleshooting result data, whereinthe one or more provider reports include a presentation of thetroubleshooting result data.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the providing theone or more provider reports includes: providing the alert to a hearinghealthcare provider to notify the hearing healthcare provider that thepatient has one or more problems with the hearing aid.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the troubleshootingadvice may include automatically presenting at least one education videoto the patient.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the presentdisclosure is directed to a method for providing hearing healthcareeducation and communication, the method comprising: receiving, via ahearing healthcare provider computing device, initial patient data, theinitial patient data including one or more values identifying anindividual patient and a hearing aid used by the individual patient;receiving, via the hearing healthcare provider computing device,individualized healthcare rules from a hearing healthcare provider, eachof the individualized healthcare rules being defined for the individualpatient; providing, via a patient computing device, a request for inputpatient data related to the individual patient based on theindividualized healthcare rules; transmitting the request for the inputpatient data to a display device for display; providing on the patientcomputing device a remote control interface that allows the individualpatient to navigate the hearing healthcare education and communicationsystem and respond to the request for the input patient data; receivingthe input patient data in response to the request displayed on thedisplay device by using the remote control interface on the patientcomputing device; storing the input patient data; for each of theindividualized healthcare rules: comparing the input patient data to thecorresponding individualized healthcare rule to determine a thresholdcomparison decision defined by the individualized healthcare rule; andbased on the threshold comparison decision, automatically providing atleast one of a message or an alert to bring the individual patient intocompliance with the individualized healthcare rule, wherein theindividualized healthcare rules include one or more of patient systemusage rules, patient education rules, and patient hearing aid experiencerules.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the comparing theinput patient data to the individualized healthcare rule to determinethe threshold comparison decision further includes: comparing the inputpatient data to a threshold value of the individualized healthcare ruleto determine if the input patient data is equal to or greater than thethreshold value; storing a result of the comparing as result data; andwhen the input patient data is not determined to be equal to or greaterthan the threshold value, transmitting the alert to the hearinghealthcare provider computing device and the message to a hearinghealthcare provider mobile device.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the comparing theinput patient data to the individualized healthcare rule to determinethe threshold comparison decision further includes: comparing the inputpatient data to a threshold value of the individualized healthcare ruleto determine if the input patient data is equal to or greater than thethreshold value; storing a result of the comparing as result data; andwhen the input patient data is determined to be equal to or greater thanthe threshold value, transmitting the alert to the hearing healthcareprovider computing device and the message to a hearing healthcareprovider mobile device.

In some aspects, the method further includes providing, to the patientcomputing device, an educational and experiential module based on theindividualized healthcare rules received from the hearing healthcareprovider; and displaying the educational and experiential module on thedisplay device, wherein the educational and experiential module includesan educational video and the input patient data includes responses toquestions about a content of the education video.

In some aspects, the method further includes providing, to the patientcomputing device, an educational and experiential module based on theindividualized healthcare rules received from the hearing healthcareprovider; and displaying the educational and experiential module on thedisplay device, wherein the educational and experiential module includesa request for patient input regarding the hearing aid and the inputpatient data includes responses related to an amount of time theindividual patient wears the hearing aid, a perceived comfort level ofthe individual patient while wearing the hearing aid, and a perceivedsound quality level of the individual patient while wearing the hearingaid.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the input patientdata includes responses related to at least one of a hearing aid weartime value reflecting an amount of time the individual patient wears thehearing aid, a hearing aid comfort value reflecting a perceived comfortlevel of the individual patient while wearing the hearing aid, and asound quality value reflecting a perceived sound quality level of theindividual patient while wearing the hearing aid, and wherein theindividualized healthcare rules comprise threshold values related to thehearing aid, the threshold values including at least one of a hearingaid wear time threshold value, a hearing aid comfort threshold value,and a sound quality threshold value.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the comparing theinput patient data to the individualized healthcare rules includes atleast one of: comparing the hearing aid wear time value with the hearingaid wear time threshold value, comparing the hearing aid comfort valuewith the hearing aid comfort threshold value, and comparing the soundquality value with the sound quality threshold value.

In some aspects, the method further includes storing initial patientdata in a database; storing the individualized healthcare rules in thedatabase; and generating a correspondence between the initial patientdata and the individualized healthcare rules.

In some aspects, the method further includes collecting system usagedata of a hearing healthcare education and communication system, thesystem usage data measuring usage of the hearing healthcare educationand communication system by the patient and usage of at least onespecific feature of the hearing healthcare education and communicationsystem; comparing the system usage data to a corresponding set ofthreshold values; determining how the system usage data compares to thecorresponding set of threshold values; storing the system usage data anda result of the comparing; and based on the result of the determining,determining whether to send the at least one of the message to thepatient and the alert to the hearing healthcare provider.

In some aspects, the method further includes at least one of: providing,via the patient computing device, one or more patient reports, whereinthe one or more patient reports include a patient presentation of thesystem usage data; and providing, via the provider computing device, oneor more provider reports, wherein the one or more provider reportsinclude a provider presentation of the system usage data.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the system usagedata includes at least one of: a number of times that features of thehearing healthcare education and communication system are accessed viathe patient computing device, a number of specific features of thehearing healthcare education and communication system that are accessedvia the patient computing device, and a number of specific features ofthe hearing healthcare education and communication system that areaccessed via the patient computing device within a predetermined periodof time.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the presentdisclosure is directed to a system for providing hearing healthcareeducation and communication, comprising: at least one storage devicestoring instructions; and at least one computer processor configured toexecute the instructions and to cause the system to perform operationscomprising: receiving, via a hearing healthcare provider computingdevice, initial patient data, the initial patient data including one ormore values identifying an individual patient and a hearing aid used bythe individual patient; receiving, via the hearing healthcare providercomputing device, individualized healthcare rules from a hearinghealthcare provider, each of the individualized healthcare rules beingdefined for the individual patient; providing, via a patient computingdevice, a request for input patient data related to the individualpatient based on the individualized healthcare rules; transmitting therequest for the input patient data to a display device for display;providing on the patient computing device a remote control interfacethat allows a patient to navigate system and respond to the request forthe input patient data; receiving the input patient data in response tothe request displayed on the display device by using the remote controlinterface; storing the input patient data in the at least one storagedevice; for each of the individualized healthcare rules: comparing theinput patient data to the corresponding individualized healthcare ruleto determine a threshold comparison decision defined by theindividualized healthcare rule; and based on the threshold comparisondecision, automatically providing at least one of a message or an alertto bring the individual patient into compliance with the individualizedhealthcare rule, wherein the individualized healthcare rules include oneor more of patient system usage rules, patient education rules, andpatient hearing aid experience rules.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the comparing theinput patient data to the individualized healthcare rule to determinethe threshold comparison decision further includes: comparing the inputpatient data to a threshold value of the individualized healthcare ruleto determine if the input patient data is equal to or greater than thethreshold value; storing a result of the comparing as result data in theat least one storage device; and when the input patient data isdetermined not to be equal to or greater than the threshold value,transmitting the alert to the hearing healthcare provider computingdevice and the message to a hearing healthcare provider mobile device.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the comparing theinput patient data to the individualized healthcare rule to determinethe threshold comparison decision further includes: comparing the inputpatient data to a threshold value of the individualized healthcare ruleto determine if the input patient data is equal to or greater than thethreshold value; storing a result of the comparing as result data in theat least one storage device; and when the input patient data isdetermined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value,transmitting the alert to the hearing healthcare provider computingdevice and the message to a hearing healthcare provider mobile device.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising: providing, to thepatient computing device, an educational and experiential module basedon the individualized healthcare rules received from the hearinghealthcare provider; and displaying the educational and experientialmodule on the display device, wherein the educational and experientialmodule include an educational video and the input patient data includesresponses to questions about a content of the education video.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising: providing, to thepatient computing device, an educational and experiential module basedon the individualized healthcare rules received from the hearinghealthcare provider computing device; and displaying the educational andexperiential module on the display device, wherein the educational andexperiential module includes a request for patient input regarding thehearing aid and the input patient data includes responses related to anamount of time the individual patient wears the hearing aid, a perceivedcomfort level of the individual patient while wearing the hearing aid,and a perceived sound quality level of the individual patient whilewearing the hearing aid.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the input patientdata includes responses related to at least one of a hearing aid weartime value reflecting an amount of time the individual patient wears thehearing aid, a hearing aid comfort value reflecting a perceived comfortlevel of the individual patient while wearing the hearing aid, and asound quality value reflecting a perceived sound quality level of theindividual patient while wearing the hearing aid, and wherein theindividualized healthcare rules comprise threshold values related to thehearing aid, the threshold values including at least one of a hearingaid wear time threshold value, a hearing aid comfort threshold value,and a sound quality threshold value.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the comparing theinput patient data to the individualized healthcare rules includes atleast one of: comparing the hearing aid wear time value with the hearingaid wear time threshold value, comparing the hearing aid comfort valuewith the hearing aid comfort threshold value, and comparing the soundquality value with the sound quality threshold value.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising: storing initialpatient data in in the at least one storage device; storing theindividualized healthcare rules in the at least one storage device; andgenerating a correspondence between the initial patient data and theindividualized healthcare rules.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising: collecting systemusage data of a hearing healthcare education and communication system,the system usage data measuring usage of the hearing healthcareeducation and communication system by the patient and usage of at leastone specific feature of the hearing healthcare education andcommunication system; comparing the system usage data to a correspondingset of threshold values; determining how the system usage data comparesto the corresponding set of threshold values; storing the system usagedata and a result of the comparing in the at least one storage device;and based on the result of the determining, determining whether to sendthe at least one of the message to the patient and the alert to thehearing healthcare provider.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising at least one of:providing, via the patient computing device, one or more patientreports, wherein the one or more patient reports include a patientpresentation of the system usage data; and providing, via the providercomputing device, one or more provider reports, wherein the one or moreprovider reports include a provider presentation of the system usagedata.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the system usagedata includes at least one of: a number of times that features of thesystem are accessed via the patient computing device, a number ofspecific features of the system that are accessed via the patientcomputing device, and a number of specific features of the system thatare accessed via the patient computing device within a predeterminedperiod of time.

In some aspects, the system further includes a cloud communicationsplatform configured to, upon a request from the hearing healthcareeducation and communication system, automatically send outgoinginteractive phone messages and text messages to patients and hearinghealthcare providers, for reminders and notifications, wherein the cloudcommunications platform is further configured to receive incoming phonemessages and text messages from the patients and the hearing healthcareproviders to initiate interactive survey questionnaires, and whereinresponses from the patient and the hearing healthcare provider inresponse to the outgoing messages and the survey questionnaires arestored in the hearing healthcare education and communication system.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the presentdisclosure is directed to a method for providing hearing healthcareeducation and communication, the method comprising: providing, to thepatient computing device, a set of education goals related to a hearingaid; transmitting the set of education goals to a display device fordisplay; providing, on the patient computing device, a remote controlinterface that allows the patient to navigate a hearing healthcareeducation and communication system and respond to requests from thehearing healthcare education and communication system; receiving fromthe patient computing device, input data defining a subset of the set ofthe education goals in response to the set of the education goalsdisplayed on the display device by using the remote control interface;storing the subset of the set of the education goals as personal goalsof the patient; providing, to the patient computing device, at least oneeducational and experiential module related to the personal goals;transmitting the at least one educational and experiential module to thedisplay device for display; determining a hearing aid achievement of thepatient, the hearing aid achievement corresponding to at least one of ause of the at least one educational and experiential module by thepatient and a level of compliance with the personal goals by thepatient; and based on the hearing aid achievement, automaticallyproviding at least one of a message or an alert to bring the patientinto compliance with the personal goals.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module includes content review questions,the method further including: providing, to the patient computingdevice, at least one content review question about content of the atleast one educational and experiential module; transmitting the at leastone content review question to the display device for display;receiving, from the patient computing device, a patient response to theat least one content review question displayed on the display device byusing the remote control interface; comparing the patient response to acorrect response; determining if the patient response is a correctresponse; determining a content review score based on a percentage ofcorrect responses; and based on a result of the determining the contentreview score, determining whether to send the at least one of themessage to the patient computing device and the alert to a hearinghealthcare provider computing device.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient includes: collecting patientviewing data related to the at least one educational and experientialmodule; comparing the patient viewing data to a threshold value; basedon a result of the comparing, determining how the patient viewing datacorresponds to the threshold value; based on the result of thedetermining; and based on a result of the comparing, determining whetherto send the at least one of the message to the patient computing deviceand the alert to a hearing healthcare provider computing device.

In some aspects, the method further includes at least one of: providingone or more patient reports to the patient computing device, wherein theone or more patient reports include a patient presentation of thepatient viewing data; and providing one or more provider reports to thehearing healthcare provider computing device, wherein the one or moreprovider reports include a provider presentation of the patient viewingdata.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module is an educational video, and whereinthe patient viewing data includes a cumulative number of differentvideos viewed on the display device within a predetermined period oftime.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient further includes: providing, tothe patient computing device, a survey question about a hearing aidexperience of the patient; transmitting the survey question to thedisplay device for display; receiving, from the patient computingdevice, a survey response to the survey question displayed on thedisplay device by using the remote control interface; comparing thesurvey response to a threshold value; determining how the surveyresponse compares to the threshold value; and based on a result of thedetermining, determining whether to send the at least one of the messageto the patient computing device and the alert to a hearing healthcareprovider computing device.

In some aspects, the method further includes collecting system usagedata of the system, the system usage data measuring usage of the systemby the patient and usage of at least one specific feature of the system;comparing the system usage data to a threshold value; determining howthe system usage data compares to the threshold value; storing thesystem usage data and a result of the comparing; and based on the resultof the determining, determining whether to send the at least one of themessage to the patient computing device and the alert to a hearinghealthcare provider computing device.

In some aspects, the method further includes at least one of: providingone or more patient reports to the patient computing device, wherein theone or more patient reports include a patient presentation of the systemusage data; and providing one or more provider reports to the hearinghealthcare provider computing device, wherein the one or more providerreports include a provider presentation of the system usage data and arecommended adjustment to at least one of the hearing aid.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the system usagedata includes at least one of: a number of times that features of thesystem are accessed via the patient computing device, a number ofspecific features of the system that are accessed via the patientcomputing device, and a number of specific features of the systemaccessed via the patient computing device within a predetermined periodof time.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module includes troubleshooting informationrelated to a hearing aid problem, the method further comprising:providing, to the patient computing device, troubleshooting questionsrelated to patient experiences using the hearing aid; transmitting thetroubleshooting questions to the display device for display; receiving,via the patient computing device, patient responses to thetroubleshooting questions displayed on the display device by using theremote control interface; providing troubleshooting advice based on thepatient responses to the troubleshooting questions; transmitting thetroubleshooting advice to the display device for display; and storingtroubleshooting result data based on the patient responses to thetroubleshooting questions and success of the patient in resolving thehearing aid problem.

In some aspects, the method further includes at least one of: providingone or more patient reports to the patient computing device based on thetroubleshooting result data, wherein the one or more patient reportsinclude a presentation of the troubleshooting result data; and providingone or more provider reports to a hearing healthcare provider computingdevice based on the troubleshooting result data, wherein the one or moreprovider reports include a presentation of the troubleshooting resultdata.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the providing theone or more provider reports to the hearing healthcare providerincludes: providing the alert to the hearing healthcare providercomputing device to alert the hearing healthcare provider of the hearingaid problem experienced by the patient and that the patient has one ormore problems with the hearing aid.

In some aspects, the method further includes receiving, via the patientcomputing device, data from a plurality of users; and separating thedata received via the patient computing device according to each of theplurality of users.

In some aspects, the method further includes receiving, via the patientcomputing device, a request for a callback from a hearing healthcareprovider; and transmitting information regarding the request for thecallback to at least one of the hearing healthcare provider computingstation and a hearing healthcare provider mobile device.

In some aspects, the method further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient includes: providing, to thepatient computing device, progress questions related to a progress ofthe patient towards achieving each of the personal goals; transmittingthe progress questions to the display device for display; receiving,from the patient computing device, patient responses to the progressquestions displayed on the display device by using the remote controlinterface; comparing the patient responses to the personal goals todetermine how the patient response compares to the personal goals; andbased on a result of the comparing, determining whether to send the atleast one of the message to the patient computing device and the alertto a hearing healthcare provider computing device.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the presentdisclosure is directed to a system for providing hearing healthcareeducation and communication, comprising: at least one storage devicestoring instructions; a media streaming device wirelessly transmittinghearing healthcare education and communication system content from apatient computing device to a display device; and at least one computerprocessor configured to execute the instructions and to cause the systemto perform operations comprising: providing, to the patient computingdevice, a set of education goals related to a hearing aid; transmittingthe set of education goals to the display device for display; providing,on the patient computing device, a remote control interface that allowsthe patient to navigate the hearing healthcare education andcommunication system and respond to system requests; receiving from thepatient computing device, input data defining a subset of the set of theeducation goals in response to the set of the education goals displayedon the display device by using the remote control interface on thepatient computing device; storing, in the at least one storage device,the subset of the set of the education goals as personal goals of thepatient; providing, to the patient computing device, at least oneeducational and experiential module related to the personal goals;transmitting the at least one educational and experiential module to thedisplay device for display; determining a hearing aid achievement of thepatient, the hearing aid achievement corresponding to at least one of ause of the at least one educational and experiential module by thepatient and a level of compliance with the personal goals by thepatient; and based on the hearing aid achievement, automaticallyproviding at least one of a message or an alert to bring the patientinto compliance with the personal goals.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module includes content review questions,and wherein the determining the hearing aid achievement of the patientfurther includes: providing, to the patient computing device, at leastone content review question about content of the at least oneeducational and experiential module; transmitting the at least onecontent review question to the display device for display; receiving,from the patient computing device, a patient response to the at leastone content review question displayed on the display device by using theremote control interface; comparing the patient response to a correctresponse; determining if the patient response is a correct response;determining a content review score based on a percentage of correctresponses; and based on a result of the determining the content reviewscore, determining whether to send the at least one of the message tothe patient computing device and the alert to a hearing healthcareprovider computing device.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient includes: collecting patientviewing data related to the at least one educational and experientialmodule; comparing the patient viewing data to a threshold value; basedon a result of the comparing, determining how the patient viewing datacorresponds to the threshold value; based on the result of thedetermining; and based on a result of the comparing, determining whetherto send the at least one of the message to the patient computing deviceand the alert to a hearing healthcare provider computing device.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising at least one of:providing one or more patient reports to the patient computing device,wherein the one or more patient reports include a patient presentationof the patient viewing data; and providing one or more provider reportsto the hearing healthcare provider computing device, wherein the one ormore provider reports include a provider presentation of the patientviewing data.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module is an educational video, and whereinthe patient viewing data includes a cumulative number of differentvideos viewed on the display device within a predetermined period oftime.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient further includes: providing, tothe patient computing device, a survey question about a hearing aidexperience of the patient; transmitting the survey question to thedisplay device for display; receiving, from the patient computingdevice, a survey response to the survey question displayed on thedisplay device by using the remote control interface; comparing thesurvey response to a threshold value; determining how the surveyresponse compares to the threshold value; and based on a result of thedetermining, determining whether to send the at least one of the messageto the patient computing device and the alert to a hearing healthcareprovider computing device.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising: collecting systemusage data of the system, the system usage data measuring usage of thesystem by the patient and usage of at least one specific feature of thesystem; comparing the system usage data to a threshold value;determining how the system usage data compares to the threshold value;storing the system usage data and a result of the comparing in the atleast one storage device; and based on the result of the determining,determining whether to send the at least one of the message to thepatient computing device and the alert to a hearing healthcare providercomputing device.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising at least one of:providing one or more patient reports to the patient computing device,wherein the one or more patient reports include a patient presentationof the system usage data; and providing one or more provider reports tothe hearing healthcare provider computing device, wherein the one ormore provider reports include a provider presentation of the systemusage data and a recommended adjustment to at least one of the hearingaid.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the system usagedata includes at least one of: a number of times that features of thesystem are accessed via the patient computing device, a number ofspecific features of the system that are accessed via the patientcomputing device, and a number of specific features of the systemaccessed via the patient computing device within a predetermined periodof time.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least oneeducational and experiential module includes troubleshooting informationrelated to a hearing aid problem, and the at least one computerprocessor is further configured to execute the instructions and to causethe system to perform operations comprising: providing, to the patientcomputing device, troubleshooting questions related to patientexperiences using the hearing aid; transmitting the troubleshootingquestions to the display device for display; receiving, via the patientcomputing device, patient responses to the troubleshooting questionsdisplayed on the display device by using the remote control interface;providing troubleshooting advice based on the patient responses to thetroubleshooting questions; transmitting the troubleshooting advice tothe display device for display; and storing, in the at least one storagedevice, troubleshooting result data based on the patient responses tothe troubleshooting questions and success of the patient in resolvingthe hearing aid problem.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising at least one of:providing one or more patient reports to the patient computing devicebased on the troubleshooting result data, wherein the one or morepatient reports include a presentation of the troubleshooting resultdata; and providing one or more provider reports to a hearing healthcareprovider computing device based on the troubleshooting result data,wherein the one or more provider reports include a presentation of thetroubleshooting result data.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the providing theone or more provider reports to the hearing healthcare providerincludes: providing the alert to the hearing healthcare providercomputing device to alert the hearing healthcare provider of the hearingaid problem experienced by the patient and that the patient has one ormore problems with the hearing aid.

In some aspects, the system further includes a cloud communicationsplatform configured to, upon a request from the hearing healthcareeducation and communication system, automatically send outgoinginteractive phone messages and text messages to patients and hearinghealthcare providers, for reminders and notifications, wherein the cloudcommunications platform is further configured to receive incoming phonemessages and text messages from the patients and the hearing healthcareproviders to initiate interactive survey questionnaires, and whereinresponses from the patient and the hearing healthcare provider inresponse to the outgoing messages and the survey questionnaires arestored in the hearing healthcare education and communication system.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising: receiving, via thepatient computing device, data from a plurality of users; and separatingthe data received via the patient computing device according to each ofthe plurality of users.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising: receiving, via thepatient computing device, a request for a callback from a hearinghealthcare provider; and transmitting information regarding the requestfor the callback to at least one of the hearing healthcare providercomputing station and a hearing healthcare provider mobile device.

In some aspects, the system further includes wherein the determining thehearing aid achievement of the patient includes: providing, to thepatient computing device, progress questions related to a progress ofthe patient towards achieving each of the personal goals; transmittingthe progress questions to the display device for display; receiving,from the patient computing device, patient responses to the progressquestions displayed on the display device by using the remote controlinterface; comparing the patient responses to the personal goals todetermine how the patient response compares to the personal goals; andbased on a result of the comparing, determining whether to send the atleast one of the message to the patient computing device and the alertto a hearing healthcare provider computing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hearing healthcare systemfor providing education, communication, and tracking of hearinghealthcare, according to certain disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example user device, consistent withcertain disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an example welcome screen displayed on a display device of ahearing healthcare system, according to certain disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 4 is an example main menu screen displayed on a display device of ahearing healthcare system, according to certain disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 5 is an example Intelligent Remote screen, according to certaindisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an example flowchart of a video review quiz process, accordingto certain disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for providingeducation, communication, and tracking of hearing healthcare, accordingto certain disclosed embodiments; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for providingeducation, communication, and tracking of hearing healthcare, accordingto certain disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed embodiments comprise an integrated system called TELLYHEALTH™that is a combination of a computer server that provides a website anddata for the hearing care professional, a website for use by hearingcare professionals, a patient's computing device, a telephone, astreaming device, a Wi-Fi system, and either a television (TV) set or acomputer monitor with a connected speaker. TELLYHEALTH™ is a referenceto the provision of personalized hearing healthcare education andaftercare to patients via their television (“Telly” in British parlance)as part of an integrated system. The TELLYHEALTH′ system (to be hereinreferred to as “the System”) is designed for ease of use and ease ofviewing by older adults, as well as ease of viewing by groups ofindividuals.

A hearing care professional (HCP) uses a computing device to log in to asecure “HCP website” that is hosted by one or more servers which may bein the cloud. In some embodiments, the secure HCP website may be hostedby a hosting service, such as, for example Amazon Web Services. Thehosted HCP website may be referred to herein in the singular although itmay be embodied by several networked servers and/or other computingdevices. The HCP website may be formed of one or more modules or“tools.” As is traditional in the field of the disclosed technology,features and embodiments are described, and illustrated in the drawings,in terms of functional blocks, units, tools, and/or modules. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that these blocks, units, tools,and/or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical)circuits such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors,hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, and the like,which may be formed using semiconductor-based fabrication techniques orother manufacturing technologies. In the case of the blocks, units,tools, and/or modules being implemented by microprocessors or similar,they may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to performvarious functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven byfirmware and/or software. Alternatively, each block, unit, tools, and/ormodule may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as a combination ofdedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., oneor more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to performother functions. Also, each block, unit, tools, and/or module of theembodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting anddiscrete blocks, units, tools, and/or modules without departing from thescope of the inventive concepts. Further, the blocks, units, tools,and/or modules of the embodiments may be physically combined into morecomplex blocks, units, tools, and/or modules without departing from thescope of the inventive concepts.

The HCP website is designed to enable an HCP to enroll patients in theSystem with personalized information about the patient and his/herhearing aid. The HCP website is also designed to: (a) track the enrolledpatient's progress using their hearing aid and applying newcommunication skills, and (b) empower the HCP to provide efficient,effective, and timely patient “aftercare” with the assistance of dataprovided by the System. The HCP website accomplishes these goals byaccessing databases related to: (a) the patient's hearing aid use andcare, (b) System-provided hearing aid education, and (c) other aspectsof System use relative to objectives established by the HCP.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hearing healthcare systemfor providing education, communication, and tracking of hearinghealthcare, according to certain disclosed embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1 , an exemplary hearing healthcare system 100 mayinclude a plurality of user devices 110 (e.g., user device 110 a anduser device 110 b), a display device 116, at least one hearinghealthcare provider (HCP) device 120, and a hearing healthcare provision(HHP) server 130.

User devices 110 may be any type of electronic computing device and/orcomponent configured to execute one or more processes, many of which areknown in the art. User devices 110 can include, by way of example andnot limitation, clients, desktop computers, laptop computers, networkcomputers, workstations, personal digital assistants (PDA), tabletcomputers and/or electronic readers (e.g., iPad, Kindle Fire, Playbook,Touchpad, etc.), telephony devices, smartphones, etc. In one exampleembodiment, one or more user devices 110 may be mobile computingdevices. User devices 110 may be configured to transmit and/or receiveinformation to and/or from other user devices 110, HHP server 130,and/or display device 116 directly and/or indirectly via any combinationof wired and/or wireless communication systems, method, and devices,including, for example, network 190. User devices 110 may receive inputfrom, and provide output to, one or more of a patient, a caregiver forthe patient, or a friend or family member of the patient.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example user device 110, consistent withcertain embodiments. It should be readily apparent that the example userdevice 110 depicted in FIG. 2 represents a generalized schematicillustration and that other components/devices can be added, removed, ormodified. In one example embodiment, user device 110 can be configuredto include address translation and full virtual-memory services.

As shown in FIG. 2 , each user device 110 can include one or more of thefollowing components: at least one central processing unit (CPU) 201configured to execute computer program instructions to perform variousprocesses and methods, random access memory (RAM) 202 and read onlymemory (ROM) 203 configured to access and store data and information andcomputer program instructions, I/O devices 204 configured to provideinput and/or output to client computing device 110 (e.g., keyboard,mouse, display, speakers, printers, modems, network cards, etc.), andstorage media 205 or other suitable type of memory (e.g., such as, forexample, RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks,floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, any typeof tangible and non-transitory storage medium), where the files thatcomprise an operating system 210, application programs 212 including,for example, web browser application, email application and/or otherapplications, and data files 214 are stored.

In addition, each user device 110 can include antennas 206, networkinterfaces 207 that provide wireless and/or wire line digital and/oranalog interface to one or more networks, such as network 150, over oneor more network connections (not shown), a power source 208 thatprovides an appropriate alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC)to power one or more components of user device 110, and a bus 209 thatallows communication among the various disclosed components of the userdevice 110 of FIG. 2 . Each of these components is well-known in the artand will not be discussed further.

In one or more exemplary designs of user device 110 of FIG. 2 , thefunctions described can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware,or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionscan be stored as one or more instructions or code on computer-readablemedium, including the computer-readable medium described above (e.g.,RAM 202, ROM 203, storage media 205, etc.). The term “software” mayrefer to prescribed rules to operate a computing device. Examples ofsoftware may include: software; micro-code; code segments; instructions;applets; pre-compiled code; compiled code; interpreted code; computerprograms; and programmed logic.

In some embodiments, application programs 212 can include an applicationprogramming interface (API), such as a casting API. The casting API maybe a set of software instructions that cause the user device 110 to senddata to a display device (e.g., display device 116 of FIG. 1 ), causingthe display device 116 to display Patient Display Portal Screens.Exemplary Patient Display Portal Screens are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and4 .

In addition, in some embodiments, application programs 212 of the userdevice 110 may include an intelligent remote application. Uponexecution, the intelligent remote application may provide an IntelligentRemote. For example, the Intelligent Remote (see FIG. 5 ) may becomprised of the user device 110 with a touchscreen configured toprovide one or more “virtual buttons” or icons that are used to operateand navigate the screens of the HCP website of hearing healthcare system100 and, in particular, the presently visible and active screen on thedisplay device 116. For example, the user may tap on one virtual buttonof the Intelligent Remote to perform an action such as entering a numberor navigating to another screen.

Returning to FIG. 1 , the hearing healthcare system 100 may include adisplay device 116. The display device 116 may include a display screenused to provide visual output from a computer, cable box, video camera,VCR, or other video generating device. The display device 116 may be,for example, a digital or analog television, a digital or analogcomputer monitor, etc. In some embodiments, the display device 116 mayinclude a streaming device to exchange information with user device 110and/or HHP server 130. For example, the display device 116 may include aGOOGLE™ CHROMECAST™ device and associated sender and receiver APIs thatcause mobile media data to be displayed on the display device 116. Thesender and receiver APIs may include functions to interact with thesender (e.g., user device 110, HHP server 130) or media content and towork with the receiver or the display device 116. The sender API mayinclude parameters for configuration, requests, and all that is relatedto media (volume, display, TV show). The receiver API may includeparameters for cast receiver, media playback, and possible properties(connected, inactivity, standby). Available index of all classes andfunctions. In some embodiments, the user device 110 and display device116 may communicate with one another using the CHROMECAST™ device. Forexample, the casting API of the user device 110 may cause the displaydevice 116 to display media that is provided from the HHP server 130 vianetwork 190 to the CHROMECAST™ device.

HCP device 120 may be any type of electronic device and/or componentconfigured to execute one or more processes, many of which are known inthe art. HCP device 120 can include, by way of example and notlimitation, clients, desktop computers, laptop computers, networkcomputers, workstations, personal digital assistants (PDA), tabletcomputers and/or electronic readers, telephony devices, smartphones,etc. HCP computing device 120 may be configured to transmit and/orreceive information to and/or from other HCP computing devices 120, HHPserver 130, and/or electronic health records system 180 directly and/orindirectly via any combination of wired and/or wireless communicationsystems, method, and devices, including, for example, network 190. HCPdevices 120 may receive input from, and provide output to, one or moreof a hearing healthcare provider or other authorized personnel (e.g.,third-party administrator, etc.).

HHP server 130 can be one or more physical computers, or computersystems, configured to run one or more services to support users ofother computers on one or more networks and/or computer programsexecuting on physical computers, or computer systems, and configured toserve the requests of other programs that may be operating on one ormore servers (not shown) or on other computing devices, such as userdevices 110, display device 116, HCP device 120, and/or electronichealth record system 180. HHP server 130 can include, by way of exampleand not limitation, communication servers, database servers, faxservers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, name servers, webservers, proxy servers, gaming servers, etc. In some aspects, HHP server130 may be configured to transmit and/or receive information to and/orfrom user computing devices 110, display device 116, HCP device 120,other servers (e.g., HHP server 130, Internet Service Provider (ISP)servers (not shown), etc.), electronic health records system 180, and/ordatabases directly and/or indirectly via any combination of wired and/orwireless communication systems, method, and/or devices, including, forexample, network 190. HHP server 130 may include one or more physicalservers, or server systems, and/or one or more proxy servers, eachconfigured to run one or more services to support other computers orcomputer systems, such as, for example, client computer systems (notshown). In certain embodiments, the same server devices may perform theroles of a physical HHP server 130 and/or a proxy HHP server 130.

HHP server 130 can include a set of client components 140, such as aclient interface 141 and a display interface 142. The client interface141 may include both software and hardware components to facilitate datacommunications between the HHP server 130 and the user device 110. Forexample, training, education, or troubleshooting information may betransmitted from the HHP server 130 to the user device 110, or data fromthe patient's hearing aid may be transferred to the HHP server 130 viathe user device 110. Data communications may include providing a HHPwebsite the user device 110 and receiving input relate to the HHPwebsite.

The display interface 142 may include both software and hardwarecomponents to facilitate data communications between the HHP server 130and the display device 116. For example, the HHP server 130 may transmitmedia data directly from the HHP server 130 to the display device 116,and receive information about viewing of the media data from the displaydevice 116. In some embodiments, the display interface 142 may beconfigured to cause the HHP website to be displayed on the displaydevice 116.

HHP server 130 can further include a set of administration components150, such as a client website interface 151, a database interface 152, acontent management tool 153, a user management tool 154, a reportingtool 155, an alert tool 156, and a messaging tool 157. Client websiteinterface 151 may include both software and hardware components tofacilitate data communications between the client interface 141 and adatabase interface 152.

The client website interface 151 may include both software and hardwarecomponents to facilitate data communications between the clientinterface 141 and the database interface 152. For example, the clientinterface 141 may transmit data from the user device 110 to the databaseinterface 152 for subsequent storage in one or more databases 170, andmay receive data stored in the one or more databases 170 via thedatabase interface 152 for subsequent transmission to the user device110. Communication between the client interface 141 and the user device110 may be facilitated by an HCP website. For example, information(e.g., patient input data) may be transmitted from the user device 110to the HHP server 130 by inputting the data into structured fields ofthe HCP website, and data or other information (e.g., messages,instructions, reminders, videos, flowcharts, etc.) may be provided tothe user by presenting the data or information on the HCP website. TheHCP website may be displayed on display device 116, and an IntelligentRemote may be used to navigate the HCP website, as discussed furtherherein.

The database interface 152 may include both software and hardwarecomponents to facilitate data communications between one or more of theclient website interface 151, the content management tool 153, the usermanagement tool 154, the reporting tool 155, the alert tool 156, themessaging tool 157, and databases 170.

Each of the content management tool 153, the user management tool 154,the reporting tool 155, the alert tool 156, and the messaging tool 157may be formed by a software application operating on HCP server 130,another computing device external to the HCP server 130 accessible bythe HCP server 130, or other configurations described herein. Thesesoftware applications may be stored separately from each other or mayshare resources.

The content management tool 153 may transmit data to and receive datafrom one or more databases 170 via the database interface 152. Forexample, the content management tool 153 may receive input from one ormore HCP devices 120, and transmit the input to the database interface152 for storage in the one or more databases 170. In some embodiments,the content management tool 153 may be used by authorized personnel foradding, deleting, and editing training and education content of thehearing healthcare system 100 without requiring assistance from ITpersonnel—thus reducing the process response time and associated supportcosts for the hearing healthcare system 100. Hearing healthcare system100 content may include videos, text, and multimedia content that isused for patient education or training, evaluating patient knowledge ona topic, supplies and equipment available for sale to the patient, andother content that may support the patient with hearing aids and thepatient's family, friends and caregivers.

The user management tool 154 may transmit data to and receive data fromone or more databases 170 via the database interface 152. For example,the user management tool 154 may receive input from one or more HCPdevices 120, and transmit the input to the database interface 152 forstorage in the one or more databases 170. In some embodiments, the usermanagement tool 154 may be used by the HCP to enter the patient's data,including details of the patient's hearing aid, and to configure theirassigned patients with access to the hearing healthcare system 100. Theuser management tool 154 may also be used by the HCP to add and deleteother users of the hearing healthcare system 100 and their offices andorganizations and edit their enrollment information. The user managementtool 154 may also be used to customize a patient portal for each patientbased on entered parameters such as their hearing aid style andpersonalized alert thresholds. The user management tool 154 may also beused to download the data for a particular patient or group of patientsor a particular HCP or group of HCPs. The user management tool 154 canalso be used as a user support tool for individuals providing supportfor HCPs and patients. For example, a HCP may enroll a new patient inthe hearing healthcare system 100 via the HCP device 120 using the usermanagement tool 154 once the patient selects, but before they receive,their hearing aids. At this point in time, only a specified subset ofthe training and educational content of the hearing healthcare system100 may be activated via the user management tool 154. After the hearingaid fitting, the HCP may use the user management tool 154 to activatethe remaining training and educational content. Such activation mayinclude setting access controls to additional training and educationalcontent and setting one or more thresholds related to education,training, tracking, and communication of the hearing healthcare patient.

The reporting tool 155 may transmit data to and receive data from one ormore databases 170 via the database interface 152. For example, thereporting tool 155 may receive input from one or more HCP devices 120,and transmit the input to the database interface 152 for storage in theone or more databases 170. In some embodiments, the reporting tool 155may be used by the HCP to assemble, view and download reports aboutusage of the hearing healthcare system 100 among all their assignedpatients, as a group, and for each individual patient. The reportsprovide clinically important information on the patient's hearing aiduse and care experiences, thereby enabling the HCP to rapidly focus onthe patient's needs and provide ongoing and active care of the patient.Reports may be aggregated by, for example: (a) all companies using thehearing healthcare system 100, (b) all offices within an individualcompany using the hearing healthcare system 100, (c) individual officeswithin a company using the hearing healthcare system 100, and (d) allpatients within an office using the hearing healthcare system 100. Oneor more of the individual patient reports may also be posted on thePatient-TV Portal and accessed by that individual patient and by otherauthorized users. The reporting tool 155 may also be used by anauthorized user to assemble, view and download reports about usage ofthe hearing healthcare system 100 among all HCP users, as a group, andfor each individual HCP user.

Each of the alerting tool 156 and the messaging tool 157 may transmitdata to and receive data from one or more databases 170 via the databaseinterface 152. For example, the alerting tool 156 and/or the messagingtool 157 may receive input from one or more HCP devices 120, andtransmit the input to the database interface 152 for storage in the oneor more databases 170. The alerting tool 156 may be used by the HCP toset customized alert thresholds for each patient, post patient alerts onthe HCP website for transmission to the patient via the user device 110and/or display device 116. In addition, the alerting tool 156 may directthe messaging tool 157 to send electronic or voice messages to the HCPabout a new alert or a new series of alerts. The alerts enable the HCPto easily track instances and trends of the patient's hearing aid anduse experiences of the hearing healthcare system 100 by the patient orother user (e.g., patient caregiver, patient family member, patientfriend, etc.).

For example, the alerting tool 156 can track and evaluate the patient'sability or inability to use their hearing aids successfully andautomatically, based on data transferred wirelessly from the patientuser device 110 or from their hearing aid to the HHP server 130. In someembodiments, the patient's ability or inability to user a hearing aidsuccessfully may be tracked and evaluated based on the patient's inputsto a Patient Daily Diary. Inputs to the Patient Daily Diary may beprovided via the user device 110 and/or display device 116.

As an example, the alerting tool 156 allows the HCP to select athreshold of the minimum number of hours of daily hearing aid useexpected of the patient for a specific number of consecutive days. Thealerting tool 156 then compares the patient's self-report data on theiractual number of daily hours of hearing aid use over the consecutive dayrange to the threshold value. The patient's self-report data may beinput by the user via the user device 110 and/or display device 116, andthen transmitted to the HHP server 130. If the actual hours value isless than the threshold value over the specified range of days, thealerting tool 156 will trigger an alert that is stored in one or moredatabases 170 of the HHP server 130 and is also sent to the HCP as anelectronic message via e-mail, texting, voice (e.g., phone message), oranother suitable communication channel. The HCP then records contactswith the patient (e.g., office visit or phone call) that are intended toresolve the alert and then records the actual resolution of the alert(e.g., patient buys new hearing aid batteries, so they can resume usingtheir hearing aids) on the HHP server 130. In another example, an alertmay be triggered by the hearing healthcare system 100 if the patientuses the hearing healthcare system 100 (e.g., Patient-TV Portal and/orinbound Messaging System, which are discussed further herein) lessfrequently than the threshold set by the HCP via the hearing healthcaresystem 100. Patient use of the hearing healthcare system 100 isautomatically tracked by the hearing healthcare system 100 each time thepatient logs into the hearing healthcare system 100 and, for example,completes a task on the hearing healthcare system 100 by selecting atleast one menu. Additionally, the alerting tool 156 may be used tomonitor the pace of the patient completing tasks on the hearinghealthcare system 100 as defined by the HCP with the individualizedhealthcare rules. If the patient is not keeping up with the requestedtask completion pace and/or schedule, the messaging tool 157 may sendout a personalized message to such patient with instructions to help thepatient get back on track or to bring the user into compliance with theindividualized healthcare rules input by the HCP.

The messaging tool 157 may be directed by one or more other tools (e.g.,the content management tool 153, the user management tool 154, thereporting tool 155, the alert tool 156) to automatically send outtargeted messages by e-mails, text messages (i.e., SMS), or interactivevoice response (IVR) telephone call messages to the patient, the HCP, oranother designated individual. These messages may be generated by acommercially available cloud-based server that is designed forinteractive inbound and outbound communications with subscribedindividuals such as HCPs, patients, and other individual who areenrolled in the hearing healthcare system 100 by the HCP or anotherauthorized person. Outbound patient messages are scheduled by the HCPvia the HCP device 120 in consultation with the patient. The scheduledoutbound patient messages may be included in the individualizedhealthcare rules which are stored in databases 170.

In one example embodiment, the messaging tool 157 may remind the patientto use the hearing healthcare system 100 when the patient's usage, astracked by the hearing healthcare system 100 via the reporting database,does not meet the usage goals established by the patient in concert withthe HCP and stored in the HHP server 130 via the HCP device 120. Theusage goals may include frequency of accessing the hearing healthcaresystem 100, viewing certain videos within a prescribed time period,evaluating progress towards the patient's personal goals, or anothermeasure that the HCP enters into the HCP website. Based on the patient'sshortfalls in achieving the desired use of the hearing healthcare system100, the messaging tool 157 may provide outbound messages in the form ofreminders that encourage the patient to derive more value from thehearing healthcare system 100. As the patient gains experience with thehearing healthcare system 100 by, for example, navigating menus andentering data into the hearing healthcare system 100, the nature of theoutbound reminder messages may change. In some cases, based on theseparameters, the patient will stop receiving outbound reminder messages.In other cases, the patient data will trigger new outbound remindermessages.

In another example embodiment, the messaging tool 157 may assist thepatient in identifying specific subject areas that requirereinforcement. The hearing healthcare system 100 may include algorithmsfor intelligently analyzing the patient's responses to video reviewquestions and patient daily diary questions and use of the problemsolver in order to provide targeted outbound messages that providetargeted education for the patient and reinforce new informationpresented to the patient (see FIG. 6 ).

The messaging tool 157 may also include an inbound messaging featurewhere it is accessed by a patient who either calls in or “texts in” tothe hearing healthcare system 100. In one example embodiment, thepatient may use this inbound capability of the messaging tool 157 tocomplete the patient daily diary questions by phone or text rather thanby using the Patient-TV Portal. For example, a user (e.g., USER 3) mayinteract with the HHP server 130 via a telephony device and an IVRsystem 158. The patient's daily diary responses through this means willbe reported on the HCP website and Patient-TV Portal as if they wereentered via the display 116 using the Intelligent Remote. In alternativeembodiments, the patient may use the inbound messaging tool 157 toaccess other content of the hearing healthcare system 100, to obtainhearing aid troubleshooting guidance, to respond to other questions ofthe hearing healthcare system 100, or to leave a message for the HCP.

The messaging tool 157 may further send out an alert message to the HCPwhen the alerting tool 156 is activated. When the HCP receives such analert message in the form of an e-mail, automated IVR phone call, ortext message, the HCP may contact the patient or first review thedetails of the alert on the HCP website and then contact the patient.The HCP will then record on the HCP website when the HCP: (a) contactsthe patient to discuss the issue that triggered the alert, and (b)resolves the alert in concert with the patient. The HCP also may enterclinical notes related to patients to the HHP server 130 via the HCPdevice 120 for storage in one or more databases 170.

The HHP server 130 may further include an IVR system 158 and a reportimporting tool 159. In some embodiments, the IVR system 158 may initiatetelephone call messages to the patient, the HCP, or another designatedindividual. For example, the IVR system 158 may transmit alert messagesto the patient, the HCP, or another designated individual, in responseto instructions from the messaging tool 157. In other embodiments, theIVR system 158 may receive patient input (e.g., completing the patientdaily diary questions by phone or text), and the IVR system 158 maytransmit the received patient input to the databases 170 for storage. Asillustrated in FIG. 1 , the IVR system 158 may communicate with a userUSER_3 via a telephony device (e.g., telephone, smart phone, etc.).

Report importing tool 159 may access the electronic health record system180, and download stored healthcare information related to one or morepatients and/or upload healthcare information related to one or morepatients for storage on the electronic health record system 180. In someembodiments, for example, the record importing tool 159 may exportpatient healthcare data to the electronic health record system 180, thehealthcare data including identification of hearing aid(s) worn by thepatient, individualized healthcare rules and corresponding thresholdvalues for the patient, input data received by the HHP server 130 fromthe user device 110 (e.g., Daily Diary inputs, etc.), tracking datarelated to the patient, HHP server 130, and the hearing healthcaresystem 100.

Electronic health record system 180 may include one or more computingdevices configured to store databases, e.g., organized collections ofdata and their data structures, and/or execute database managementsystems, e.g., computer programs configured to control the creation,maintenance, and use of the database. Electronic health record system180 may store health records related to one or more patients.

In addition, the HHP server 130 may include one or more databases.Databases 170 can be one or more computing devices configured to storedatabases, e.g., organized collections of data and their datastructures, and/or execute database management systems, e.g., computerprograms configured to control the creation, maintenance, and use of thedatabase. Collectively, databases and their database management systemscan be referred to as database systems. As used herein, database 170 canrefer to databases, database management systems, and/or databasesystems. In some aspects, database 170 can be configured to storedatabases, while database management systems are stored and executed onone or more other computing devices, such as HHP server 130. In oneimplementation, databases 170 can include software database programsconfigured to store data associated with HHP servers 130 and theirassociated applications or processes, such as, for example, standarddatabases or relational databases. Databases 170 can includerelationship database management systems (RDBMS) that may be configuredto run as a server on HHP servers 130. In some embodiments, databases170 can be configured to transmit and/or receive information to and/orfrom user computing devices 110, HCP computing devices 120, HHP servers130, and/or other databases 170 directly and/or indirectly via anycombination of wired and/or wireless communication systems, method,and/or devices, including, for example, network 190.

Databases 170 may include, for example, a patient database, an HCPdatabases, a hearing aid, ancillary equipment, and supplies database, asystem content database, a messaging database, an alerts database, areports database, a troubleshooting database, an organizationaldatabase, an appointments database, etc.

The patient database may be comprised of data entered by the HCP abouteach patient enrolled in the hearing healthcare system 100, includingtheir name, contact information, associated HCP, and hearing aidinformation. The HCP database may be comprised of data about the HCPsenrolled in the hearing healthcare system 100, including their name,contact information, work locations, and licensing or other authorizinginformation. The hearing aid, ancillary equipment and supplies databasemay be comprised of information about commercially-available hearing aidmodels (e.g., specification and other technical information) and relatedhearing aid products and supplies that may be used by patients or HPCsenrolled in the hearing healthcare system 100.

The system content database may be comprised of hearing aid use and carecontent and communications education content in the form of text,videos, audio messages, still photographs, multimedia, and flow charts.Examples of hearing aid use and care content and communicationseducation content stored in the system content database may include, forexample: introduction to the system and system training; personal goalsetting, which provides for selecting preferred goals and evaluatingprogress on each selected goal on the system; system-selected videosthat are specific to the patient's hearing aid style for training oninserting and removing hearing aids; hearing aid maintenance tips basedon the patient's hearing aid style; hearing aid use tips based on thepatient's hearing aid style; medical issues related to hearing aid use(e.g., ear wax, tinnitus, etc.); advanced hearing aid use tips (e.g.,home, landline phones, cells phones, theaters, restaurants, lecturehalls, etc.), including selection of the hearing assistive technologiesfor different environments; communication strategies;identification/resolution of communication problems; etc. Details aboutthe patient's access of, and feedback to, the various may also appear onthe HCP's website and be accessible to the HCP.

The messaging database may be comprised of inbound and outbound messagesthat are transmitted between the HCP, patients, and the HHP server 130on an ad hoc basis or on a schedule that is entered into the hearinghealthcare system 100. For example, inbound messages may be messagesthat are transmitted from a HCP, patient, or other person to the HHPserver 130, and outbound messages may be messages that are transmittedfrom the HHP server 130 to an HCP, patient, or other person. One or moremessages may be triggered by data that has been entered into the hearinghealthcare system 100 by the HCP or the patient or the message may beautomatically generated. Examples of message types and triggers storedin the messaging database include: use/access of Daily Diary, triggeredwhen patient has not evaluated his/her progress on his/her goals for apredetermined number of days; use/access of training materials,triggered when patient has not viewed training material provided by thehearing healthcare system 100 at a predefined pace (e.g., number ofvideos within or over predefined number of days, etc.);comprehension/understanding of training materials, triggered whenpatient responds incorrectly to maximum number of the video reviewquestions on their first viewing of a video, and reinforcement/reviewingis recommended; etc. The messages may be personalized by insertingvariables representing the predefined numbers of days, uses,engagements, into a personalized message by the hearing healthcaresystem 100 based on data stored therein or can be default values thatcan be changed by the HCP, the patient, etc. In some embodiments, thevariables can be changed by the HCP as part of the individualizedhealthcare rules and corresponding threshold values.

The alerts database may be comprised of rules that trigger alerts andthe actual alert messages that are sent to the HHP server 130 or to theHCP via an e-mail, text or telephone/voice message. In some embodiments,the alerts database may include alert messages that correspond tocertain types of messages in the messaging database. For example, when aType 6 message is triggered, an alert message may also be triggered tonotify the HCP that the patient is struggling to comprehend the trainingmaterial. Other alerts may be triggered, for example, when a patientrequests a call back from the HCP (e.g., to answer questions); when apatient does not wearing their hearing aids for the defined minimumnumber of hours per day; when a patient is experiencing discomfort withtheir hearing aid; when the patient's experience of hearing aid soundquality in doors (e.g., rated on a 5-point Likert scale) does not meetthe goal established by the HCP; when a patient is not accessing and/orusing the hearing healthcare system 100 at the minimum frequencydetermined by the HCP through the individualized healthcare rules; etc.

The reports database may be comprised of compilations of data andgraphical and tabular reports associated with each HCP and patient basedon the HCP's and patient's use of the hearing healthcare system 100 andtheir data inputs or responses. For example, the reports database maystore initial data about a patient as initial patient data (e.g., name,date of birth, height/weight, relevant health information, hearingaid(s) used by patient, etc.). In addition, the reports database maystore individualized healthcare rules including individualizedhealthcare rule categories defining one or more patient instructions andgoals specific to an individual patient and thresholds for each of theindividualized healthcare rules. Examples of individualized healthcarerule categories and corresponding threshold values include (withmodifiable variables represented by “< >”): video viewing, having athreshold defining a minimum <number> of videos within <number> of days;patient comprehension/understanding, having a threshold defining aminimum <percentage> of response questions answered correctly; patientcomfort wearing the hearing aid, having a threshold defining a minimum<rating> for <left/right> hearing aid; quality of patient's experiencewhen wearing the hearing aid, having a threshold defining a minimum<rating> for sound quality of the hearing aid; number of hours per daythat a hearing aid is worn by the patient, having a threshold defining aminimum of <number> hours each day; etc.

The reports database may further store data user input data. The userinput data may include, for example, personal goals, responses topersonal goal assessment questions, tracking of user viewing of trainingor education videos, responses to questions following training oreducation videos, daily diary inputs, etc. The initial input data andthe individualized healthcare rules may be input by the HCP via the HCPdevice 120. The user input data may be input by a patient, patientfamily member or friend, or patient caregiver via the user device 110.The reports may be provided to the HCP via the HCP device 120 and/or theuser via the user device 110. The hearing healthcare system 100 can beconfigured to send reports on the patient's goals and progress, as wellas related alerts and analysis, to the HCP and caregivers, approvedhealthcare systems, family members, by e-mail, text messages, orautomated voice (IVR) phone calls.

The troubleshooting database may be comprised of potential hearing aidproblems and corresponding flow charts of possible solutions for eachproblem. The organizational database may be comprised of information onorganizations (e.g., hospitals, healthcare chains, private practices,etc.) that use the hearing healthcare system 100 to assist their HCPs inproviding hearing healthcare to patients. The appointments database iscomprised of the HCP's schedule, openings for appointments, andappointments made by patients who use the hearing healthcare system 100.

Referring to FIG. 1 , network 190 may be any appropriate network orother communication link that allows communication between or among oneor more computing systems and/or devices, such as, for example, userdevices 110, display device 116, HCP devices 120, HHP servers 130, etc.Network 190 may be wired, wireless, or any combination thereof. Network190 may include, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a widearea network, a WiFi network, a workstation peer-to-peer network, adirect link network, a Bluetooth connection, a bus, or any othersuitable communication network or any combination thereof.

Although FIG. 1 depicts HHP servers 130 as communicating with userdevices 110 and HCP devices 120 using an indirect network connection,such as a connection through network 190, those skilled in the art willappreciate that HHP servers 130 may also communicate with user devices110 and HCP devices 120 using a direct communications link or acommunications link separate from network 190. In the embodiment of FIG.1 , user devices 110 and HCP devices 120 may communicate directly withHHP servers 130 via network 190 using standard Internet Protocols, suchas HTTP, transmission control protocol (TCP), internet protocol (IP),etc. For example, HTTP requests from user devices 110 and HCP devices120 may be encapsulated in TCP segments, IP datagrams, and Ethernetframes and transmitted to HHP servers 190. In some embodiments, thirdparties may participate as intermediaries in the communication, such as,for example, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or other entities thatprovide routers and link layer switches. Such third parties may not,however, analyze or review the contents of the Ethernet frames beyondthe link layer and the network layer, but instead analyze only thoseparts of the packet necessary to route communications from user devices110 and HCP devices 120 to HHP servers 120.

Herein, for ease of discussion, the term “Patient-TV Portal” is used torefer to a combination comprised of (a) user device 110, (b) displaydevice 116, (c) the streaming device (e.g., CHROMECAST™), and (d)network 190. The Patient-TV Portal may be used by the patient to accessall of the educational and aftercare features of the System and to enterimportant data into the System. The user may use the Patient-TV Portalto access all of the educational and aftercare features of the hearinghealthcare system 100 and to enter data into the hearing healthcaresystem 100.

In an example embodiment including a TV as the display device 116, thepatient sets up the Patient-TV Portal in the home as follows: Thepatient may connect the streaming device to a port, such as an HDMIport, on the TV or monitor and connects the streaming device to a powersource. Then the patient may set up the Patient-TV Portal by configuringthe streaming service on their patient computing device and configuringboth the streaming device and the patient's computing device to use thesame local Wi-Fi system. The patient may enter the internet address ofthe HHP server 130 provided by the HCP on the user device 110, andcreate an HHP icon on a main screen of the user device 110. Then thepatient may tap on the HHP icon and enter the password assigned by theHCP (which can be changed by the patient later via the Patient-TVPortal). Then the patient may tap on one or more special buttons to login to the Patient-TV Portal. At this point: (a) the Patient-TV portal isintegrated with the HCP website and the HHP server 130 through the userdevice 110 and the associated HHP server 130 tools and databasesdescribed earlier, (b) the Welcome screen is streamed to the TV (seeFIG. 3 ), and (c) the Intelligent Remote buttons appear on the patient'suser device 110 (see FIG. 5 ). After the patient selects an option onthe Welcome Screen using the Intelligent Remote, the Patient-TV Portal'sMain Menu appears on the patient's TV (see FIG. 4 ).

As discussed above, the user may utilize the Intelligent Remote tointeract with the data or other media displayed on the display device110. For example, the user may tap on one virtual button of theIntelligent Remote to perform an action such as entering a number ornavigating to another screen. The Patient-TV Portal then performs thedesired action. When the HHP server 130 streams a different screen tothe TV, the Intelligent Remote will retain the same user interface orautomatically adopt one of several different user interfaces, dependingon which interface is required to operate that visible streamed screenon the display device 116. In each case, the Intelligent Remote maydisplay the minimum number of buttons required to operate the activescreen on the display device 116 or to navigate to a new screenavailable from the HHP server 130. This feature simplifies the processesof both learning how to use and operate the Patient-TV Portal. Forexample, many screens will only require three buttons to navigate ascreen (left arrow, right arrow and enter) while other screens willrequire a numeric keypad (to respond to a question with a number) andstill other screens will require video controls (such as pause, forwardand reverse). The additional ease of use provided by the IntelligentRemote by displaying only the required buttons may be especiallyvaluable for the older adult patient, who may have impaired eyesightand/or limited manual dexterity, and who often is confused byconventional remotes that have a large number of small buttons.

The login process described above is handled via a secure form whichreturns a token. The token is securely stored in a local storage (e.g.,RAM 202, ROM 203, storage media 205, etc. of FIG. 2 ) of the user device110. All subsequent requests to the System server are tagged with thistoken. When casting mode is active, the Intelligent Remote is displayedas a layer on top of the browser app of the user device 110. The browserof the user device 110 may still runs “below” the remote, out of site ofthe user, but the casting API is aware it is operating in casting modeand sends data to the display device 116, instructing the display device116 to display the required Patient-TV Portal screens on the displaydevice 116.

The Intelligent Remote may be the user's means for navigating thehearing healthcare system 100 screens on the Patient-TV Portal. Forexample, the patient may use the Intelligent Remote to view aneducational video, answer a question about a video, select and rateone's progress on a personal hearing aid and communication goal,interact with the hearing aid troubleshooting guide of the hearinghealthcare system 100, view reports on the patient's use of and inputsinto the hearing healthcare system 100, set up and view appointmentswith the HCP, order hearing aid related supplies and equipment, and viewpatient reminders. Each time the patient taps on a button on a screen ofthe Intelligent Remote to select a Main Menu category viewed on thePatient-TV Portal screen (e.g., videos) or to select a submenu itemviewed on the Patient-TV Portal screen (e.g., selecting a specific videosuch as a video on “Hearing Aid Maintenance”), the corresponding actionsare activated wirelessly by signals from the Intelligent Remote to theHHP server 130. For example, the tapped action may be recorded in thereporting database, the next Patient-TV Portal screen is retrieved fromthe server and displayed on the TV screen, and the next IntelligentRemote screen layout is retrieved from the HHP server 130 and displayedon a screen of the user device 110.

When the patient uses the Intelligent Remote to select a video title onthe Patient-TV Portal, the video content may be streamed, for example,using the HTML5 player in a browser of the HCP website and via thecasting API's streaming player in casting mode. When the patient views avideo on the Patient-TV Portal, the Intelligent Remote buttons may allowthe patient to, for example, play, pause, rewind, and forward a videoand control the presence of closed captions. The Intelligent Remote maybe notified by the HHP server 130 when the video playback has beencompleted. At that point, the Intelligent Remote may instruct the videoreview quiz process (see example quiz process of FIG. 6 ) to begin andthe Patient-TV Portal displays the first video review question. Some ofthe videos will have different versions for different hearing aid modelsor technologies. These videos will be coded to match up with the codesincluded in the initial input data supplied by the HCP via the HCPdevice 120. Also, some videos will have pause points so one or morequestions or text instructions can be displayed for the patient inbetween video segments. If questions are provided, the Intelligentremote screen will switch from the video control buttons to the standardremote with options such as navigation arrows, an enter button and anumeric keypad that will be used to answer the questions. Once thequestions are answered, the video will resume and the video controlswill return to the Intelligent Remote screen.

The Intelligent Remote may be the patient's means for entering data intothe hearing healthcare system 100. For example, the patient may use theIntelligent Remote to answer video review questions, answer patientdaily diary questions, evaluate the patient's progress on his or herhearing aid and communication goals, make and confirm appointments withthe HCP, operate the troubleshooting guide and place orders forhealthcare related supplies and equipment. As the patient uses theIntelligent Remote to answer questions, the hearing healthcare system100 collects the associated data, stores the data in the reportingdatabase, displays the data in reports on the HCP website and thePatient-TV Portal, and downloads the data to an external database whenrequested to do so by the HCP.

When the patient uses the Intelligent Remote to answer a video reviewquestion on the Patient-TV Portal, the hearing healthcare system 100retrieves the correct response from the system content database andcompares it to the patient's response. The Patient-TV Portal screen,powered by the HHP server 130, either informs the patient that theirresponse was correct or displays the correct answer for educationalpurposes. The patient's correct and incorrect answers to questions aresent to the reporting database where they are stored and the patient'sscore on each video review quiz is calculated. Such scores are posted onthe HCP website and the Patient-TV portal screen.

Likewise, the Intelligent Remote may be used to control and provideinputs to the patient's Daily Diary display on the display device 116,captures the patient's responses to the patient Daily Diary questions,and sends the responses to the appropriate database in the HHP server130. When the Intelligent Remote is notified that the final patientquestion of the Daily Diary has been answered, it instructs anothermessage, such as a “tip of the day”, to be retrieved from the systemcontent database and displayed on the display device 116. After thepatient reviews the additional message, the next tap of a button on theIntelligent Remote may return the patient to the Main Menu (see FIG. 4).

The patient's Daily Diary may be an interface by which a patientperforms self-evaluation and tracking of their progress toward achievingone or more individualized goals. The goals tracked through the DailyDiary may include, for example, goals and related threshold valuesdefined by the HCP and input and stored in the HHP server 130 via theHCP device 120, and user-defined goals and related thresholds defined bythe patient and input and stored in the HHP server 130 via the userdevice 110. In some embodiments, the individualized healthcare rules mayinclude one or more goals tracked through the patient's Daily Diary. Forexample, the HCP and patient may define a goal as wearing the patientwearing their hearing aid with a threshold value being a minimum numberof hours a day that the patient wears their hearing aid. On a regularbasis (e.g., daily), the patient may input to the Daily Diary the numberof hours the hearing aid is actually worn by the patient. The HHP server130 may store the input patient data in the databases 170 and comparethe input patient data with the threshold value for the given rule. Inthis example, the threshold value may be a minimum of six hours per day.When the patient input indicates that the patient does not wear thehearing aid at least six hours per day, the HHP server 130 may initiatean alert with the alerting tool 156, and the alerting tool 156 may sendan alert to the HCP via the HCP device 120. In some embodiments, whenthe patient input indicates that the patient wears the hearing aid atleast six hours per day, the HHP server 130 may initiate a message withthe messaging tool 157, and the messaging tool 157 may send the messageto the patient via the user device 120. The message may further bedisplayed on the display device 116.

In addition, the patient may use the Intelligent Remote to select a setof personal hearing aid and communication goals from a list provided onthe display device 116. In some embodiments, the list of personalhearing aid and communication goals may be incorporated into aneducational video on selecting goals. When the video pauses, the patientmay be allowed to make preliminary selections of desired goals using theIntelligent Remote. From this shorter list of goals, the patient is thenasked by the hearing healthcare system 100 to select a smaller number ofgoals (e.g., three) as the patient's initial personal goals. Then thepatient may return to the Patient-TV Portal periodically to evaluatetheir progress on the achievement of each goal. When each goal isachieved (e.g., a patient rating of 10 on a 10-point Likert scale), thescreen on the Patient-TV Portal may automatically propose that theachieved goal be replaced by a new goal from the patient's previous“short list”. The selected goals and the patient's progress evaluationsare reported on the HCP website and the Patient-TV portal.Alternatively, the HCP can accommodate the patient's request to changeone or more personal goals by adding and/or deleting the patient's goalson the HCP website.

The patient may use the Intelligent Remote to resolve one or morehearing aid problems. For example, the patient will navigate to theTroubleshooting menu from the Main Menu, select a problem from the list,and then interactively read instructions on the Patient-TV Portal, tryout the recommended solutions, and then report the results to the HHPserver 130. When the patient resolves the problem, the HHP server 130may provide a congratulations message the patient. When the patientcannot resolve the problem, the HHP server 130 may advise the patient tocontact their HCP. In both cases, the HHP server 130 will record theresults in the reporting database and report the results on the HCPwebsite.

The patient may use the Intelligent Remote to interact with the HCP invarious ways. For example, from the Main Menu, the patient can selectthe “Contact” option and the HHP server 130 will automatically notifythe HCP about the desired patient contact. In some embodiments, the HHPserver 130 may post an alert on the HCP website. The result of thisaction may be a phone call from the HCP to the patient. Additionalinteractions may include the ability of the patient to order hearing aidsupplies and related equipment, such as, for example, cleaning tools orbatteries. The patient may use the Intelligent Remote to select andpurchase a desired product, and the order will be stored in the one ormore databases 170. In some embodiments, the order will appear on theHCP website. When the purchased product is shipped to the patient, ashipment notice will be provided to the user via the Patient-TV Portal.Payment can be arranged electronically using a service like PayPal orwith the patient authorizing charges to his/her credit card on file atthe HCP's office.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating exemplary embodiments,according to certain embodiments. In FIGS. 7 and 8 , acommercially-available streaming device (e.g., CHROMECAST™) may beattached to display device 116 (e.g., a television) and synchronizedwith a network 190 (e.g., a secure local WiFi network). The user device110 may be synchronized with the streaming device so that the userdevice 110 can be used to “cast” to the display device 116. A hearinghealthcare patient may use the user device 110 to access theTELLYHEALTH™ software operating on the HHP server 130 via the network190. The user device 110 may mirror the TELLYHEALTH™ software to thedisplay device 116, which is on the user device 110 but not displayed ona display of the user device 110, by streaming. In addition, virtualremote control buttons may be displayed on the display of the userdevice 110, with the virtual remote control buttons being synchronizedwith the content displayed on the display device 116. The patient mayuse the virtual remote control buttons to navigate through the content(videos, questions, etc.) displayed on the display device 116. Thepatient may also use the virtual remote control buttons to respond toprompts and/or answer questions displayed on the display device 116.Data input by the patient using the virtual remote control buttons maybe transmitted from the user device 110 to the HHP server 130. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the data input by the patient may bedisplayed on the display screen 116.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for providingeducation, communication, and tracking of hearing healthcare, accordingto certain disclosed embodiments.

At block 705, the HHP server 130 may receive initial patient data. Theinitial patient data may be input by an HCP via the HCP device 120. TheHHP server 130 may store the input patient data in database 170 usingthe content management tool 153 and/or the user management tool 154. Theinitial patient data may include one or more value identifying anindividual patient and a hearing aid used by the individual patient. Forexample, the initial patient data may include a patient's name, address,date of birth, hearing measures, hearing aid style and/or modelinformation, and other information that enables the HCP to provideongoing healthcare to a patient.

At block 710, the HHP server 130 may receive individualized healthcarerules. The individualized healthcare rules may be input by the HCP viathe HCP device 120. The HHP server 130 may store the individualizedhealthcare rules in database 170 using the content management tool 153and/or the user management tool 154. The HHP server 130 may generate acorrespondence between the initial patient data and the individualizedhealthcare rules. In some embodiments, the individualized healthcarerules may be determined by the HCP, whereas in other embodiments, theindividualized healthcare rules may be determined by the HCP and thepatient. Each of the individualized healthcare rules may be definedspecifically for the individual patient. Individualized healthcare rulesmay be related to one or more of hearing aid usage, hearing aid comfort,and hearing quality, and may include one or more of patient system usagerules, patient education rules, and patient experience rules.Individualized healthcare rules may include one or more thresholdvalues, such as, for example, a hearing aid usage threshold value, ahearing aid comfort threshold value, and a hearing quality thresholdvalue. Example individualized healthcare rules and thresholds areprovided in Table 2 above.

At block 715, the HHP server 130 may provide a request for input patientdata related to the individual patient based on the individualizedhealthcare rules. The request may be transmitted to the patient via theuser device 110. At block 720, the request for input patient data may bedisplayed on the display device 116 for viewing by the patient and/orfriends, family, or caregivers. At block 725, in response to therequest, HHP server 130 may receive the input patient data from thepatient, and the HHP server 130 may store the received input patientdata in databases 170. The input patient data may be input by thepatient to the user device 110, and transmitted to the HHP server 130via network 190.

The request for input patient data may include one or more questions forthe patient and the input patient data may include answers to thequestions. In certain embodiments, the patient may be provided with aneducational and experiential module (e.g., video, text, or other media)based on the individualized healthcare rules, and the request for inputpatient data may include requests for responses related to the contentof the education video. For example, the responses may reflect a levelof comprehension and understanding of the content of the educational andexperiential module by the patient. In other embodiments, the requestfor patient input may be related to the hearing aid, and the inputpatient data includes responses related to one or more of hearing aidusage value reflecting an amount of time the individual patient wearsthe hearing aid, a hearing aid comfort threshold value reflecting aperceived comfort level of the individual patient while wearing thehearing aid, and a hearing aid quality threshold value reflecting aperceived quality level of the individual patient's hearing whilewearing the hearing aid.

At block 730, for each of the individualized healthcare rules, the HHPserver 130 may compare the input patient data with the individualizedhealthcare rule to make a threshold comparison decision. In someembodiments, comparing the input patient data with the individualizedhealthcare rule may include at least one of comparing the hearing aidusage value with the hearing aid usage threshold value, comparing thehearing aid comfort value with the hearing aid comfort threshold value,and comparing the hearing quality value with the hearing qualitythreshold value. For example, comparing the input patient data with theindividualized healthcare rule may include comparing the input patientdata to a threshold value of the individualized healthcare rule todetermine whether the input patient data is equal to or greater than thethreshold value or less than the threshold value. Then, based on theindividualized healthcare rule and the corresponding threshold value,the HHP server 130 may store completion data reflecting that the patienthas met or exceeded the requirements of the individualized healthcarerule, as expressed by the threshold value, or may send an alert to theHCP via the HCP device 120, indicating that the patient has not met therequirements of the individualized healthcare rule, as expressed by thethreshold value.

As an example, the HHP server 130 may compare the self-reported numberof hours that a patient wears their hearing aid with the minimum numberof hours defined in the individualized healthcare rules. If theself-reported number of hours is equal to or greater than the minimumnumber of hours, the HHP server 130 may store completion data indicatingthat the patient has completed this requirement. In some embodiments,the HHP server 130 may also send a message to the patient, offeringcongratulations and encouragement to the patient on their success. TheHHP server 130 may initiate the message with the messaging tool 157, andthe messaging tool 157 may send a message to the patient via the userdevice 120. The message may further be displayed on the display device116. If, however, the self-reported number of hours is not equal to orgreater than the minimum number of hours, the HHP server 130 may thestore completion data indicating that the patient has not completed thisrequirement, and may send an alert to the HCP, indicating that thepatient has not met the requirements of the individualized healthcarerule, as expressed by the threshold value. The HHP server 130 mayinitiate the alert with the alerting tool 156, and the alerting tool 156may send a message to the HCP via the HCP device 120.

At block 735, the HHP server 130 may automatically provide at least oneof a message to the patient or an alert to the HCP based on thethreshold comparison decision. In some embodiments, the message and/oralert may be provided to bring the individual patient into compliancewith the individualized healthcare rule.

As another example, when the input patient data includes responses to atraining or educational video, the HHP server 130 may evaluate theresponses to determine a number of incorrect answers. If the number ofincorrect answer is less than a maximum number of allowable incorrectanswers, the HHP server 130 may store completion data indicating thatthe patient has completed this requirement. In some embodiments, the HHPserver 130 may also send a message to the patient, offeringcongratulations and encouragement to the patient on their success. If,however, the number of incorrect answer is equal to or greater than amaximum number of allowable incorrect answers, the HHP server 130 maythe store completion data indicating that the patient has not completedthis requirement, and may send an alert to the HCP via the HCP device120, indicating that the patient has not met the requirements of theindividualized healthcare rule, as expressed by the threshold value.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 illustrating an example method for providingeducation, communication, and tracking of hearing healthcare, accordingto certain disclosed embodiments. In particular, FIG. 8 may reflectoperations occurring after the patient or other authorized user has setup their account with the HHP server 130, as discussed above.

At block 805, the HHP server 130 may provide to a user a set ofeducation goals related to a hearing aid. The set of education goals maybe provided to the user via the user device 110 and display device 116.The education goals may include patient system usage goals, patienteducation goals, and patient experience goals. In some embodiments, theeducation goals may include one or more of the individualized healthcare rules.

At block 810, the HHP server 130 may receive input data defining asubset of the set of the education goals. The input data may be input bythe user using the user device 110, and transmitted to the HHP server130 via network 190. For example, the user may want to improve theirexperience using the hearing aid, and may select specific experiencegoals (e.g., improved ability to hear in public places and on thetelephone, etc.). At block 815, the HHP server 130 may store theselected subset of the education goals as one or more user-definededucation goals. The one or more user-defined education goals may bestored in databases 170.

At block 820, the HHP server 130 may provide, to the user, at least oneeducational and experiential module (e.g., video, text, or other media)related to the one or more user-defined education goals. For example, ifthe user-defined education goals include improved ability to hear inpublic, the HHP server 130 may queue up an educational video thatprovides training and suggestions on the topic of how to hear better ina restaurant, theater, or other public location. In some embodiments,the educational and experiential module may include content reviewquestions to evaluate the user's comprehension and understanding of thecontent of the educational and experiential module.

In certain embodiments, the at least one educational and experientialmodule includes troubleshooting information related to the hearing aid.For example, the HHP server 130 may provide, to the user,troubleshooting questions related to experiential qualities of thehearing aid, and may receive from the user, responses to thetroubleshooting questions. Based on the responses to the troubleshootingquestions, the HHP server 130 may determine to provide troubleshootingadvice as the at least one educational and experiential module based onthe responses to the troubleshooting questions. In addition, the HHPserver 130 may store troubleshooting success data of the user indatabases 170. The troubleshooting success data may be based on theresponses to the troubleshooting questions, reflecting the user'ssuccess (or lack thereof) in troubleshooting.

At block 825, the HHP server 130 may determine educational achievementof the user. The educational achievement may correspond to the at leastone educational and experiential module and may be based on the one ormore user-defined education goals. In some embodiments, the HHP server130 may determine the educational achievement of the user by providing,to the user via the user device 110, one or more review questions aboutthe content of the at least one educational and experiential module, andreceiving, from the user via the user device 110, a user response to thereview question. After receiving the user response, the HHP server 130may determine if the user response is a correct response or not, andnotify the user about a result of the determining.

In certain embodiments, the HHP server 130 may determine the educationalachievement of the user based on system usage data. For example, the HHPserver 130 may collect user viewing data related to the at least oneeducational and experiential module, and compare the user viewing datato a corresponding pre-determined threshold value. Based on a comparisonresult, the HHP server 130 may determine whether to send the at leastone of the message to the user and the alert to a hearing healthcareprovider. As an example, the user viewing data may include the data ofTable 1 above (e.g., cumulative number of videos viewed within apredetermined period of time, patient use/engagement with the systemover time, etc.).

In other embodiments, the HHP server 130 may determine the educationalachievement of the user based on user feedback about a hearing aidexperience. For example, the HHP server 130 may provide, to the user viathe user device 110, one or more survey questions about a hearing aidexperience of the user, and may receive from the user, responses to thesurvey questions. The HHP server 130 may compare the survey response tocorresponding pre-determined threshold values; and based on thecomparison result, the HHP server 130 may determine whether to send theat least one of the message to the user and the alert to a hearinghealthcare provider.

At block 830, the HHP server 130 may provide a message and/or an alertbased on the educational achievement. For example, the HHP server 130may compare the user responses to correct responses, and based on aresult of the comparing, determine whether to send the at least one ofthe message to the user and the alert to a hearing healthcare provider.As discussed above, for example, the HHP server 130 may initiate themessage with the messaging tool 157, and the messaging tool 157 may senda message to the patient via the user device 120. Additionally oralternatively, the HHP server 130 may initiate the alert with thealerting tool 156, and the alerting tool 156 may send a message to theHCP via the HCP device 120.

In some embodiments, the HHP server 130 may provide a recommendedadjustment to the hearing healthcare system 100 based on the educationalachievement. Recommended adjustments may include, for example,increasing a number of visits with the HCP, changing frequency or volumesettings on the hearing aid, receiving redundant education via anothermedium (e.g., hands-on demonstrations, etc.), etc.

Additionally, the HHP server 130 may collect system usage data, whichinclude measurements of the usage of the hearing aid system by the userand usage of at least one specific feature of the hearing aid systemrelated to the at least one educational and experiential module. The HHPserver 130 may compare the collected system usage data to acorresponding set of threshold values, and based on the comparisonresult, the HHP server 130 may determine whether to send the at leastone of the message to the user and the alert to a hearing healthcareprovider. The system usage data includes at least one of a number oftimes the hearing aid system is accessed by the user, a number ofspecific features of the hearing aid system are used by the user, and anumber of specific features of the hearing aid system used within apredetermined period of time.

Further, the HHP server 130 may provide one or more reports to the userand/or the HCP. The reports may be transmitted from the HHP server 130to the user device 110 and/or from the HHP server 130 to the HCP device120. The one or more reports may include a summary or presentation ofthe user system usage data, system viewing data, etc. Based on theinformation included in the one or more reports, the HHP server 130 maydetermine a recommended adjustment to the hearing healthcare system, andmay provide the recommended adjustment to HCP via an alert.

In addition, the HHP server 130 may include a cloud communicationsplatform configured to, upon a request from the hearing healthcareeducation and communication system, automatically send interactive phonemessages and text messages to patients and hearing healthcare providers,and receive interactive phone messages and text messages from patientsand hearing healthcare providers via the hearing healthcare educationand communication system to initiate survey questionnaires.

The patient may also use the Intelligent Remote to change their Systempassword. For example, when the patient navigates to the Change Passwordscreen from the Main Menu, the Intelligent Remote will display a QWERTYkeyboard and numeric keypad that allows the patient to enter theirchoice of a new password. The patient can also use the IntelligentRemote to activate a video conferencing service like FaceTime via thePatient-TV Portal and communicate face-to-face with the HCP. The hearinghealthcare system 100 may activate this feature using the camera builtinto the user device 110. This feature may be used, for example, to helpresolve hearing aid problems that were not resolved by the using theTroubleshooting Guide.

When the patient has completed a session on the hearing healthcaresystem 100, the patient can exit the hearing healthcare system 100. Forexample, the user may tap the Exit button on the Intelligent Remote, ornavigate to the Exit button on the Main Menu and tapping Enter.

In some embodiments, the hearing healthcare system 100 can award pointsfor using each of its features (such as viewing an educational video oranswer a patient daily diary question) and can post the point totals onthe Patient-TV Portal and HCP website. These point totals may providepatients with an additional incentive to use the hearing healthcaresystem 100 and also enable HCPs to establish competitions among patientsfor motivational purposes.

In certain embodiments, the patient may give permission to a familymember, friend, acquaintance, or caregiver to use the hearing healthcaresystem 100 to become educated on hearing aid use and care and to viewpatient reports on the patient TV portal. In such an embodiment, thedata collected by the hearing healthcare system 100 related to hearinghealthcare system 100 usage and user data entries are collected in aseparate database from the patient database. In another alternativeembodiment, the patient portal may be accessed by the patient on awebsite on a standard Internet-connected computing device.

In another embodiment, the patient can operate the hearing healthcaresystem 100 with a voice-activated Intelligent Remote. For example, thismay be accomplished integrating an Amazon Fire Stick streaming device inconjunction with the Amazon Echo device and the Alexa voice-activatedtechnology with the System app. In another embodiment, the patient canuse a speech-to-text feature accessible by the Intelligent Remote toprovide as alternative user interface for the navigation and operationof all features of the hearing healthcare system 100. In anotheralternative embodiment, the patient can access selected social mediasites to communicate with other people with hearing loss who are usinghearing aids. These communications may be achieved by presenting aQWERTY keyboard on the Intelligent Remote or using the speech-to-textinterface on the Intelligent Remote that is mentioned above. In someembodiments, the Patient-TV Portal may be comprised of a standardcomputer, laptop, tablet or other stationary or mobile computer-baseddevice as a website a similar user interface as shown on the Patient-TVportal that is streamed to the display device 116.

While example embodiments of the inventive concepts have beenparticularly shown and described, it will be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art that variations in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1.-80. (canceled)
 81. A system for providing adaptive, integrated, andinteractive hearing healthcare education and communication, comprising:at least one storage device storing data and instructions; at least onecomputer processor configured to execute the instructions and to causethe system to perform operations comprising: receiving, via a hearinghealthcare provider computing device, initial patient data, the initialpatient data including one or more values identifying a patient and ahearing aid used by the patient; receiving, via the hearing healthcareprovider computing device, individualized healthcare rules, theindividualized healthcare rules being defined for the patient;receiving, via the hearing healthcare provider computing device,threshold values for each of the individualized healthcare rules;storing, in the at least one storage device, the initial patient data,the individualized healthcare rules, and the threshold values for eachof the individualized healthcare rules; and providing, to the hearinghealthcare provider computing device, one or more alerts related to apatient achievement value for at least one of the individualizedhealthcare rules, wherein the one or more alerts comprise a comparisonof the patient achievement value and a threshold value for at least oneof the individualized healthcare rules, and wherein the individualizedhealthcare rules include one or more of patient system usage rules,patient education rules, and patient hearing aid experience rules. 82.The system of claim 81, wherein the patient system usage rules compriseminimum threshold values related to at least one of a use of the systemby the patient and a use of at least one specific feature of the systemby the patient.
 83. The system of claim 81, wherein the patient systemusage rules comprise minimum threshold values related to at least one ofa frequency with which one or more features of the system are used bythe patient, and a frequency with which specific features of the systemthat are used by the patient.
 84. The system of claim 81, wherein the atleast one computer processor is further configured to execute theinstructions and to cause the system to perform operations comprising:providing, to the hearing healthcare provider computing device, a reportrelated to the patient system usage rules including at least one of anumber of times that one or more features of the system are used by thepatient, and a number of specific features of the system that are usedby the patient.
 85. The system of claim 81, wherein the patienteducation rules comprise threshold values related to a minimum number ofvideos viewed within a prescribed time period, and a minimum number ofcorrect responses to video review questions, or a minimum percentage ofcorrect responses to video review questions.
 86. The system of claim 81,wherein the at least one computer processor is further configured toexecute the instructions and to cause the system to perform operationscomprising: providing, to the hearing healthcare provider computingdevice, a report related to the patient education rules including atleast one of a minimum number of videos viewed within a prescribed timeperiod, a minimum number of correct responses to video review questions,or a minimum percentage of correct responses to video review questions.87. The system of claim 81 wherein the patient hearing aid experiencerules comprise threshold values related to a use of the hearing aid, thethreshold values including at least one of a use of the hearing aidreflecting an amount of time the patient wears the hearing aid, ahearing aid comfort threshold value reflecting a perceived comfort levelof the hearing aid worn by the patient, and a hearing aid sound qualitythreshold value reflecting a perceived sound quality level of thehearing aid worn by the patient.
 88. The system of claim 81, wherein theat least one computer processor is further configured to execute theinstructions and to cause the system to perform operations comprising:providing, to the hearing healthcare provider computing device, a reportrelated to the patient hearing aid experience rules including at leastone of a use of the hearing aid reflecting an amount of time the patientwears the hearing aid, a hearing aid comfort threshold value reflectinga perceived comfort level of the hearing aid worn by the patient, and ahearing aid sound quality threshold value reflecting a perceived soundquality level of the hearing aid worn by the patient.
 89. The system ofclaim 81, wherein the patient hearing aid experience rules comprisethreshold values related to include at least one of a minimum overallsatisfaction rating, a minimum sound quality rating, and a minimumcomfort level, and wherein each of the minimum overall satisfactionrating, the minimum sound quality rating, and the minimum comfort levelis on a defined measurement scale.
 90. The system of claim 81, whereinthe at least one computer processor is further configured to execute theinstructions and to cause the system to perform operations comprising:providing, to the hearing healthcare provider computing device, a reportrelated to the patient hearing aid experience rules including at leastone of a minimum overall satisfaction rating, a minimum sound qualityrating, and a minimum comfort level.
 91. The system of claim 81, whereinthe at least one storage device is further configured to store a list ofpatients currently enrolled in the system and at least one report thatincludes data related to system usage and survey responses from a subsetof the patients currently enrolled in the system.
 92. The system ofclaim 81, wherein the at least one computer processor is furtherconfigured to execute the instructions and to cause the system toperform operations comprising: providing, via the hearing healthcareprovider computing device, one or more provider reports includingprovider usage data.
 93. The system of claim 81, wherein the at leastone computer processor is further configured to execute the instructionsand to cause the system to perform operations comprising: receiving, viathe hearing healthcare provider computing device, a request to modifysystem content, the modifying including at least one of adding,deleting, or changing the system content related to the patient.
 94. Thesystem of claim 81, wherein the at least one computer processor isfurther configured to execute the instructions and to cause the systemto perform operations comprising: providing, to the hearing healthcareprovider computing device, one or more alerts that notify a hearinghealthcare provider that the patient has one or more problems with ahearing aid.
 95. The system of claim 81, wherein the at least onecomputer processor is further configured to execute the instructions andto cause the system to perform operations comprising: receiving, via thehearing healthcare provider computing device, a request to schedule atleast one of a telephone call, an office appointment, and a videoconference with the patient; and transmitting the request to schedulethe at least one of the telephone call, the office appointment, and thevideo conference to the patient.